Individual counseling is a component of the comprehensive school counseling program. Individual counseling is a responsive service in which we seek to meet the students' immediate needs and concerns. Individual counseling is offered throughout the school year to students in a confidential setting. Students may request counseling themselves by putting a “School Counselor Request” slip under the counselors’ office doors. The parent/guardian of a child, teacher, or administrator, may also refer a student. Counselors are mandated reporters and if students report unsafe conditions or situations, counselors are not allowed to keep that information confidential.

School counseling is goal-oriented and generally short-term in nature. If a student needs ongoing counseling, the school counselor can provide contact information for community counselors in our area.

Project Aware is a grant funded program that provides individual and sometimes group counseling to all students at HMS for free. Parents and insurance companies will never be billed for the sessions even though the paperwork asks for insurance information. The community counselor assigned to HMS will see individual students in our building during the school day. Students who are referred and whose parents have completed all the paperwork will see the East Ridge counselor during one of their classes such as a related arts class or gym. We will always try to avoid scheduling counseling sessions during the core classes. The counseling will be confidential so that other students do not know who is in the program. Staff members and parents alike can refer students to Project Aware to receive free services. If you would like to refer your student to this program, call one of the two HMS counselors Mrs. Kersten or Ms. Sweeney at 304-754-3313 or contact Mrs. Kersten at Stephanie.Kersten@k12.wv